Linux Newb?

Question

Hi, could experienced Linux users kindly point me in the positive direction? Basically I want to try Linux & install it so I can dual boot with windows and gradually learn it from the ground up. Installing a distro isn't a problem but I would very much appreciate an honest answer in terms of which distro to use? Some people I've spoke with recommend Ubuntu, others fedora to start with. I've quickly looked at Sabayon but it wasn't for me(that too was a recommendation). So basically i'd like to throw my question of which distro to start with to the Linux community here & gain sound & solid advice. Thanks in advance guys & girls & Happy New Year to those answering.

Answer 1

First off, it is very good that you are trying Linux. I hope that you enjoy using it.



Read the following page. It tells you about the pros and cons of each major distribution (Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS, MEPIS Linux, Slackware Linux, Gentoo Linux, FreeBSD, openSUSE, Fedora, Debian GNU/Linux and Mandriva Linux): http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major



Here is the infroduction for it: "The bewildering choice and the ever increasing number of Linux distributions can be confusing for those who are new to Linux. This is why this page was created. It lists 10 Linux distributions (plus an honourable mention of FreeBSD, by far the most popular of all of the BSDs), which are generally considered as most widely-used by Linux users around the world. There are no figures to back it up and there are many other distributions that might suit your particular purpose better, but as a general rule, all of these are popular and have very active forums or mailing lists where you can ask questions if you get stuck. Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS and MEPIS Linux are considered the easiest for new users who want to get productive in Linux as soon as possible without having to master all its complexities. On the other end of the spectrum, Slackware Linux, Gentoo Linux and FreeBSD are more advanced distributions that require plenty of learning before they can be used effectively. openSUSE, Fedora, Debian GNU/Linux and Mandriva Linux can be classified as good "middle-road" distributions. KNOPPIX is a live CD (or live DVD); originally very popular as a testing and demonstration tool, although nowadays most major distributions offer a live CD/DVD edition of their products as well. These distributions are loosely listed in order of popularity on DistroWatch, which is NOT an indication of their market share or quality."



If you do decide to go with Ubuntu (which I think is very good) the following link will help you install Ubuntu: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=583007



Here is another link that will help you settle into Linux quite nicely (it is long). It is mainly written for Ubuntu however.



Ubuntu has forums to help you out if you get stuck: http://ubuntuforums.org/



I cannot say what the other distributions offer because I am unsure myself and have not really tried them. The distrowatch page however should give you an unbiased overview of the pros and cons of each distribution.

Answer 2

I would recommend that you choose a distro that uses DEB for the updating / installing packages, and use synaptic for the actual updating (not apt-get, etc.). That eliminates Fedora, Mandriva and a bunch of others. (I had enough problems with RPM that I gave up on mandriva (aka mandrake) a long time ago).



I have been using Ubuntu for a couple of years now. It is very easy to install, and works well for me. (As with any distro, there are people out there who have problems with it, but they probably don't read the info on the screen during installation.) I tried installing PCLinuxOS the other day on another machine, and discovered that the automatic wireless detection that I get with Ubuntu is NOT in PCLinuxOS - it wanted me to install ndiswrapper (a program that I have found to be less than user friendly in the past). So, that is one negative that I see with PCLinuxOS. It uses KDE as the desktop, Ubuntu uses Gnome. I don't recall what Mint is supposed to use. (You can use any desktop on Ubuntu, and no doubt PCLinuxOS or Mint.)



Sabayon is NOT a newbie distro - gentoo in a sugar-coated pill is still Gentoo ;^).



www.distrowatch.org lists 360+ flavours of Linux. The top rated ones are what you want to look at. Of the top 6, Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS and Mint use DEB.



Try booting from a LiveCD and tinker with the distros. PCLinuxOS has a nice feature of loading to RAM (if you have enough). The idea is to test the hardware from the LiveCD - if your soundcard works from the liveCD it should work after a harddisk install.



www.google.com "yourspecificcomputer linux" should give you some ideas if people have problems installing linux on your specific hardware.

Answer 3

If you are new to Linux there is absolutely no need to install.Most Linux distros now provide the opportunity to run as a live cd,to get a feel,before making the decision to install.Indeed over the last few months I have downloaded almost all of the latest distros as & when released.I now have experience with all the well known distros such as Ubuntu,Fedora,PCLinuxOS,Simply Mepis,Damn Small Linux,Puppy,Debian,Mint,Vector,Sam,Sabyon,etc.,the list goes on.I have also had the chance to try some lesser known names.I am at this moment using Pardus 2007.3 Calisan live cd.This is infact a dedicated live cd and one cannot install from this actual cd,a seperate install cd is available,code name Kurulan.I have now become so accustomed to working in Linux that it does not bother me whether I am working in Windows or any one of the numerous Linux distros.This really is a great way to get started and when the decision to install is made is made,it will come from complete confidence in the selected distro.So my recommendation is explore the Linux live cds,have some fun and then install.Good luck!!http://www.distromania.com/

Answer 4

Well , I have tried quite a few over the past couple of years,and I'd suggest you take a look at PCLinuxOS 2007,very easy to install and generally works "out of the box" mp3,DVD support,very good hardware detection,although as is common with many distros what works well for one person can be a total pain in the a** for someone else ,also it has a very knowledgeable and friendly forum (should you find yourself stuck) system updates are handled by the synaptic package handler which is easy to use but not quite as fast as in Ubuntu and it does not auto update (yet) but it's simple to do and anyway do you really want your PC talking to a remote server all the time?.



The default desktop is KDE but Gnome is available through the repo's or you can download the new Gnome version of PCLinux,just check the PCLinuxOS.com website.



When all is said and done it often comes down to what looks and feels right for you,buy or burn some livecd's of some of the distro's that you like the look of and see how you get on.

Answer 5

once upon a time, I would have recommended Mandrake, but the current versions leave out many things that would be nice to have without dl'ing. These days, I recommend ubuntu or kubunto (ubuntu with kde). Try several live cd's, and install when you're comfortable with one. I don't like fedora, as it never sets my monitor refresh rate properly. There are MANY distributions out there. as I'm sure you've noticed, but these two let you get started with the minimal amount of fiddling with scripts and setting to get it working.

When you've gotten used to it and know what you want, then try one of the big distos. If you start with a complicated one, it can turn you off linux forever. My first install was suse 8.0. It was some time before I tried again, but now I have tried several others, and I love linux. Hang in there!

Answer 6

ubuntu based distros have the best overall support witch is great for newcomers but dont take my word for it go to www.distrowatch.com and check out the top 10 I use linux mint and love this ubuntu based stuff. Dont get the wrong idea all linux is strong and powerfull but the biggest issue is how to install other apps thats where ubuntu based stuff realy shines several of the top ten are based off there synaptic package managment system

Answer 7

You may try Mandriva 2007 or Ubuntu Fawn.